Dahlia, Redskin

Short Description

Each stem produces a different flower color.

Full Description

One of the best dahlias from seed. A blaze of rich color, each 18" stem produces a flower of a different delectable hue. The enchanting bronzed purplish foliage provides the perfect setting for the colorful show. Prefers well-drained soil. Excellent choice for pots, small gardens and edging.

Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

12-16 inches

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

8-12 inches

Ornamental Use
Ways in which the product may be used in the garden for ornamental effect.

Beds, Borders, Container, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle
This refers to whether a plant is an annual, biennial or perennial. Annuals complete their life cycles in one year; biennials produce foliage the first year and bloom and go to seed the second year; perennials can live for more than two years.

Annual

Growth Habit
The genetic tendency of a plant to grow in a certain shape, such as vining or bush like.

Start IndoorsStart Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds indoors in the spring or summer

TransplantTransplant
When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for spring

Start OutdoorsStart Outdoors
Starting seeds outdoors is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the spring or summer

Start Indoors FallStart Indoors Fall
Starting seeds indoors in the fall called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fall

Transplant FallTransplant Fall
Transplant Fall-When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for fall

Start Outdoors FallStart Outdoors Fall
Starting seeds outdoors in the fall is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fall

First Date: Feb-08 - Last Date: Feb-22

First Date: May-02 - Last Date: Jun-01

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Growing information

Dahlia may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost, or sown directly in the garden after frost, or grown from potted plants or tubers.

Sowing Seed Indoors:

Sow indoors 8 weeks before last frost using a seed starting kit.

Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in seed starting soil

Keep the soil moist at 70-75 degrees

Seedlings emerge in 14-20 days

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Thin to one seedling per cell when they have two sets of leaves.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

Transplant hardened-off seedlings to the garden after the frost.

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Sowing Directly in the Garden:

Direct sow after danger of frost has passed.

Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil. The more sun dahlias receive, the more flowers you will get. In hot climates, a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day will protect plants from heat, however.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Sow seed ¼ inch deep.

Firm soil lightly, water and keep evenly moist.

Seedlings emerge in 14-20 days.

Thin plants to 18-30 inches apart, depending on the variety, when seedlings are 1 inch high.

Planting Dahlia Tubers

Plant tubers when you receive them in spring.

Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil. The more sun dahlias receive, the more flowers you will get. In hot climates, a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day will protect plants from heat, however.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Dig a hole six inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the tuber. Place the whole dahlia on its side (do not cut up dahlia tubers).

Cover with 2 inches of soil. As the plant grows fill in the hole until it is even with the rest of the garden.

For larger varieties inset the stake you will use to support them the same time you plant the tuber to avoid damaging the roots.

Planting Potted Plants:

Select a location in full sun with good rich moist organic soil. The more sun dahlias receive, the more flowers you will get. In hot climates, a bit of shade during the hottest part of the day will protect plants from heat, however.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

Set level with the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand leaving a slight depression around the plant to hold water.

Water thoroughly, so that a puddle forms in the saucer you have created. This settles the plants in, drives out air pockets and results in good root-to-soil contact.

Use the plant tag as a location marker.

For larger varieties inset the stake you will use to support them the same time you plant the tuber to avoid damaging the roots.

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.

Keep plants well-watered during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.

Deadhead regularly to keep plants blooming.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

In the north just after frost kills the foliage, cut back the foliage, dig up the clumps, remove the soil and allow to dry for at least an hour. Do not wash roots. Store them over the winter in paper bags filled with slightly moistened vermiculite in a cool but frost free, well-ventilated location. Check throughout the winter that they do not dry out. For larger flowers do not divide root clumps.

When flowering ceases in Zone 8 and south, cut the plants to 6 inches and mulch them. Dig and divide clumps every two to three years to keep them vigorous.

Compact bedding dahlias are ideal for container gardens and for edging beds. Use the border types to add height and color to gardens in late summer to fall. Dahlias also make beautiful cut flowers.

Gardeners who wish for fewer but larger flowers should disbud their plants.

Product Details

Sun

Full Sun

Height

12-16 inches

Spread

8-12 inches

Ornamental Use

Beds, Borders, Container, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle

Annual

Growth Habit

Bush

Sow Method

Direct Sow/Indoor Sow

Flowering

Yes

Bloom Duration

12 weeks

Flower color

Red, White, Yellow

Reviews

Dahlia, Redskin is rated
3.0 out of
5 by
4.

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Lara from
Hoped for moreI tried to seed them indoors as I did last year with other type of seed dahlias, kept it on heating pad in very warm place and only 7 appeared and I died later. Overall I planted 26 seeds so I've considered it a very low output. I should mention that it is suggested to plant them outside so I am keeping the rest of seed to plant them when it gets warmer.

Date published: 2016-04-08

Rated 3 out of
5 by
soCalguy from
The two packets of Redskin Dahlia seeds that I ordered were contaminated with zinnia seeds. Zinnias were never in this garden before or in the adjacent neighbor's yard, and before we moved in, the land was just native Ca coastal sage scrub; so the zinnia seeds had to come from these packets. I never planted any zinnia seeds here. It's especially obvious since the zinnias came up exactly in the rows where I planted the "Redskin Dahlia" seeds.
From the first packet, planted in March, the 4 Redskin Dahlia seeds that germinated true to the packet label and image have yellow, white, and red flowers and beautiful bronze-green foliage just like the picture and are about 6in-12tall. Most of what came up from this packet was zinnias.
I'm actually happy with the zinnias in there; they're 3ft tall with huge magenta pink, and orange, and white blooms, and there's a ton of them.
I tried to plant another packet of "Redskin Dahlia" seeds in June, that I had ordered at the same time as the first. The seedlings have been growing for about 6weeks now and it's clear that they are also a combination of zinnias and Redskin Dahlias. The foliage is quite distinctive because the Redskin Dahlia leaves are serrated with a bronze tinge, and the zinnia leaves are bright green with smooth edges. The 6week old seedlings of both zinnias and dahlias already have flower buds forming.
Again, I'm quite happy with how the the mixed zinnia and Redskin Dahlia border turned out - I just think that there should be some quality control so that you're getting the seeds that you think you are.

Date published: 2015-07-31

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Caitlin from
Eh...I planted these last year in its own container. I only got 2 blooms, both yellow and on the small side. I will not be buying these again.

Date published: 2015-04-04

Rated 4 out of
5 by
EnjoyGardening from
Beautiful Blooms!I purchased these seeds two years ago and I have been very pleased. These are advertised as annuals, but as I cleared old brush from my garden in preparations for the next spring, to my great surprise new plants were growing...and even more profusely! The backdrop of the dark red leaves is stunning against the beautiful bright blooms...further they were very easy to grow. When I first planted them, I started them indoors and had no problems. If they seem to wilt a little, just keep them moderately watered and enjoy gorgeous blooms with a beautiful show.